In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Rick ‘Poppa Dawg’ Halisheff
What do you always find yourself saying?
“If life were easy, everybody would be doing it.”
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Ricky Gervais, as I have a great deal of respect for his views on animal rights and atheism.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
The only award that would matter would be from my peers, fans, friends, or family.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Tesla. I would love to ask him why he never punched Edison in the face for ripping him and everyone else off.
Who inspires you?
Existing. I find inspiration in reading and learning new things but the overall most inspirational musician I know of is Ronnie Earl, a legendary guitarist who just has a way of saying things through his guitar.
What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Tour Europe.
2. Do some acting.
3. Play guitar with Ronnie Earl.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Miracle, cause it would be a damn miracle if I ever got a yacht!
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
January 1st, 2525 just because I like that song!
What are you passionate about?
Music and knowledge.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Watching my daughter’s being born blew me away.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Quitting smoking! Seriously, that was really hard.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
I rarely dine in as I am out working most nights of the week but I do love the Chinese food at Imperial Banquet! Best Chinese food around!
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
Walking/hiking as there is so much natural beauty here.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Poppa Dawg
What does your business/organization do?
I am a full time blues musician.
Where can people find you or your business online?
www.poppadawg.com
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
The Poppa Dawg
What is your Twitter account?
@Poppa_Dawg
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Rick Halisheff
What is your mission?
To promote and support the blues and keep doing what I want to do, which is play music.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To share the stage with some of my idols.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
Playing theatres, festivals, soft-seaters, and touring to the US and abroad.
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Anyone who has been doing it all their lives. There are so many people still doing it and trying to keep the blues alive, which is what we all want. When one wins we all win.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Passion, integrity, and truth. We don’t like sugar coating things except maybe doughnuts!
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you for believing in the music and standing beside me through the good and the bad. It isn’t going get easier so if they are still around, that is dedication!
How does your business/organization impact the community?
I try to promote the blues on any level in the community and occasionally we get others up to play with us or encourage them to keep doing it. We aren’t a very big organization!
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Space exploration. I would love to hear what is next in the search for our origins in the universe.
If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
More affordable housing and less focus on wealth. The separation is becoming greater and greater.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
I have some exceptional friends here as I have lived in the area off and on for 40 years. Folks say it is ‘cliquey’ which it is but once you get to know people they will go to bat for you. People always make the community!
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Dan Loewen. He busks downtown a lot and has a group he plays with. Love his original music!
Some general comments I would like to share are:
We live in an area of immense beauty but the separation of rich and poor is greater than ever. We need more affordable housing and the city needs to work with the province to focus on helping some of the homeless by offering help with mental and medical problems.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
